DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF EAST AFRICA LODGE MENTORING PROGRAMME THE FELLOWCRAFT
Brother Passed On /../ District Grand Lodge Mentoring Committee: W Bro Sundip Chotai, DGMentor, PDGSwdB W Bro Gurinder Ghataura, PGStB, DAGS W Bro Mayur J Patel, PDGSwdB Updated: December 2015 Acknowledgements: This booklet is part of a series of booklets relating to the Mentoring Scheme undertaken by the District of East Africa. In drafting the booklets, I am pleased to acknowledge the assistance given by similar booklets from the Province of Middlesex and also the Province of Sussex. 1 The Fellowcraft
Congratulations, you have now taken your second step in the Craft. Hopefully you have started to feel comfortable and confident and able to play an increasing part in your Lodge. Each step provides more opportunity for you to learn and develop your Masonic knowledge. You may have realized, from the ceremony you have just "Passed" through, your journey is not yet complete. There are still many aspects of Freemasonry you will need to discover. This booklet has been designed to help you with some of these aspects and further informs you of those topics which will be covered by your Mentor. The following topics are covered in this booklet:- Brief explanation of the Ceremony of Passing The District Grand Lodge of East Africa District Charities and Associations Preparing for the Ceremony of Raising Questions leading from the Second to the Third Degree 2 The Fellowcraft
The following topics will be explained to you by your Mentor:- A detailed explanation of the Ceremony of Passing to give you a broad understanding of the event The Signs, Token and Word of the Second Degree Masonic Aprons and Collars Masonic Jewels 3 The Fellowcraft
BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE CEREMONY OF PASSING Just as the operative Masons had to prove their proficiency in one level of work, so the Entered Apprentice has to prove his proficiency as a speculative or free and accepted Mason before being passed to the Degree of a Fellow Craft. When you entered the Lodge this time, you were not hoodwinked, as you were not allegorically in a state of complete darkness. You are now halfway through your progress of being educated in the three degrees (though in practice it takes many years fully to understand each degree). This level of progression is illustrated by the position of the Square and Compasses on the Volume of the Sacred Law. One point of the Compasses is disclosed implying that you are now midway in Freemasonry, superior to an Entered Apprentice, but inferior to the degree of a Master Mason. Your progress is further marked by the new apron you were invested with, which bears two rosettes thereon. This is the shortest of the three ceremonies. It is sometimes wrongly considered to be the least important because your Initiation is so important, your second is purely a progression and your third, as you will discover later, particularly dramatic. This notion is far from the truth. All the degrees have equal merit 4 The Fellowcraft
and value. So, what have you learnt in the Second Degree? In time all will become clear. For many, the significance lies in the new position in which you were placed in the southeast part of the Lodge. In this position, you were exhorted to extend your researches into the more hidden mysteries of Nature and Science. Do not worry, you are not expected to become an expert in Natural History or take a Science Degree! What it means is that having shown willingness in the First Degree to improve yourself generally, you are now being encouraged to think about the natural surroundings in which you exist and their scientific basis. As a result of which you will improve your mind and abilities to build a symbolic Temple. As a Fellow Craft you symbolise an operative Craftsman and climb the staircase to receive your due wages. As a speculative Craftsman, you have gone into the middle chamber of the Temple to receive your symbolical reward. The nature of this reward is the subject of the Third Degree Ceremony, which we trust you will secure in due course. 5 The Fellowcraft
DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF EAST AFRICA Freemasonry operates on three levels, namely: United Grand Lodge of England, which rules the Craft in England and Wales Provincial or District Grand Lodges (in our case, District Grand Lodge of East Africa), which govern individual Lodges within their Provinces or Districts. Individual or Private Lodges such as your own. The District Grand Lodge of East Africa is led by our District Grand Master, who is assisted by a Deputy District Grand Master, and three Assistant District Grand Masters. The District Grand Lodge of East Africa represents all English constituted Lodges in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and the Seychelles. The headquarters is based at Freemasons' Hall, Nairobi. The District Grand Lodge of East Africa provides support and guidance to all the individual private Lodges and provides a framework for a prosperous and harmonious fraternity that our Lodges collectively enjoy in the District. 6 The Fellowcraft
Once you have been Raised to the Third Degree, you are entitled and encouraged to attend the Half Yearly and Annual Communications of the District Grand Lodge of East Africa which are usually held on the last Saturday of September and March respectively. Following your Mastership of the Lodge, it is hoped that a few years later, you will be appointed an officer of the District Grand Lodge. District Grand Officers are identifiable by the dark blue clothing on their aprons that also bear the badges depicting their rank. 7 The Fellowcraft
DISTRICT CHARITIES AND ASSOCIATIONS You will be aware that Charity is one of the three grand principles along with Brotherly Love and Truth. How much one donates is entirely at his discretion. In private lodges, our charitable fund-raising is led by the Lodge Charity Steward. Money which an individual Lodge raises may be distributed in various ways such as: Money or materials may be distributed to worthy causes such as Childrens' Homes, Old Peoples' Homes, towards the handicapped, to those less fortunate than ourselves etc Towards larger charities that the District Grand Lodge is supporting Towards the East Africa Masonic Fund Within the District Grand Lodge of East Africa, there are two main sources of Charity to help those in need: District Grand Charity which contributes to a wide range of worthy causes within the District, both Masonic and non-masonic. East Africa Masonic Fund which cares for Freemasons who are members of Lodges within the District and their families in time of distress. 8 The Fellowcraft
You will also hear about the work of the 4 main Masonic Charities (which are based in UK), namely: The Grand Charity which makes numerous grants to a very wide range of worthy causes, Masonic and non-masonic. These may be established charitable bodies small and large, individuals in distress, but also victims of crisis such as natural disasters. A look at www.grandcharity.org will tell you more. The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution which runs homes within UK for elderly Freemasons and their dependants. See www.rmbi.org.uk for more details. The Masonic Samaritan Fund which helps sick or infirm Freemasons and their dependants. See www.nmsf.org for more details. The Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys which seeks to assist with the welfare of children of Masonic families where death, illness or financial circumstances have led to distress, especially in the education of children. See www.rmtgb.org for more details. 9 The Fellowcraft
PREPARING FOR THE CEREMONY OF RAISING The following are the questions that will be put to you before you are raised to the Third Degree. You are required to learn, understand and commit the answers to memory as soon as possible after you have been Passed to the Second Degree. As before your Mentor will assist you in understanding the questions and answers and assist you with the missing words. 10 The Fellowcraft
QUESTIONS LEADING FROM THE SECOND TO THE THIRD DEGREE Q How were you prepared to be passed to the Second Degree? A In a manner somewhat similar to the former save that in this Degree I was not h'd; my l.a., b. and r.k. were made b., and my l.h. was s-s. Q On what were you admitted? A The s. Q What is a s.? A An angle of 90 degrees or a fourth part of a Circle. Q What are the peculiar objects of research in this Degree? A The hidden mysteries of nature and science. Q As it is the hope of reward that at all times sweetens labour, where did our Ancient Brethren go to receive their wages? A Into the Middle Chamber of K.S.T. Q How did they receive them? A Without scruple or diffidence. 11 The Fellowcraft
Q Why in this particular manner? A Without scruple, well knowing they were justly entitled to them, and without diffidence, from the great reliance they placed on the integrity of their employers in those days. Q What were the names of the two g.ps., that stood at the p.e. of K.S.T? A That on the l. was called... and that on the r.... Q What are their separate and conjoint significations? A The former denotes in s., the latter to e., and when conjoined s., for God said: In s. will I e. this Mine House to stand firm forever. 12 The Fellowcraft